Business Skills for Women and Youth in Nigeria

Dear Donor,

It is that time again to bring you updates of our activities in the field. The Street business school by SI4DEV started in August, 2019, with the recruitment and selection process, and was delivered in 6 communities in Nigeria. 96 people enrolled for the program in Bayelsa state(Yenegwe community ), Abuja(Orozo and Lugbe Sauka Kahuta community), Kano state( Sabon gari 1 and Sabon gari 2) and Lagos state(Ikotun Community).

The Street business school mobile classroom meet members in their communities and give them the necessary skills and confidence they need to build a sustainable business.

The Street business school curriculum suits everyone even for those with little or no formal education. Hear from some of our members.

“ Before the class, I was ashamed to hawk Soyabean cake (AWARA), but after the class I came out of my comfort zone and started Hawking my Soyabean Cake, now I make 2000 Naira on a daily basis, and I am able to save 1300 daily,” Victoria from Orozo community, Abuja.

“The Recordkeeping, Market survey, and growing your customer’s base module improved my welding material business, my customer base has increased,” Rifkatu reported, from Sabon Gari 2 Community, Kano state.

“ I put all what I was taught into practice, this improved my business, I bought additional three sewing machine to my business, one industrial machine and two butterfly machine, I now have six machines with more apprentices in my shop,” said Marian from Yenegwe Community, Bayelsa state.

Mark from Yenegwe, Community, Bayelsa state added that he came out of his comfort zone in the course of the Street business school training. He said, “I was able to rebrand my products (Oma shoes), take risks and above all advertise.”

Taiwo O from sabon Gari 1 community, Kano state was full of gratitude. “Before the street business school classes, I was so shy, I cannot even advertise my products, I sell soft drinks, in the course of the training I came out of my comfort zone and started advertising my products. My business improved, instead of the one crate of soft drinks I sell on a daily basis, I now sell 10 crates on a daily basis, I am currently learning how to make snacks, I want to add snacks to my business.”

“Before the training, I had no business, during the business opportunity identification, I came up with Jewelry production and marketing business” gushed Aminat from Sabon Gari 1 community.

“I sew dresses, when I put all what I was taught into practice I was able to add another business into the existing one, I now make lunch bags. In a week I make about 5000 naira, I am able to save 3000 naira, on a weekly basis.” Nafisat from Orozo community

“The Street business school taught me how to come out of my comfort zone, I started selling Egusi, at my house because I don’t have a shop, Street business school coaches taught me how to save.” – Margret B from Lugbe Sauka Kahuta community

“I learned how to repackage my business, this have increased my customer base, I also learned how to keep records of my business, now I know much comes in and goes out. My income increased from 10,000 naira to 95,000 naira, I also started “kunu” business, now I have two businesses” – Bridget O from Orozo community.

I hope that hearing these voices gladdens your heart as they did mine. We thank you for your continual support to our projects and encourage you to do even more.

Yours in service.

The SBS by SI4DEV Team